title: Mindfulness and flow in occupational engagement: presence in doing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flow is a psychological state that might be viewed as desirable, and it occurs when a person is aware of his or her actions but is not being aware of his or her awareness. Mindfulness is viewed not as the achievement of any particular state, but as intentional awareness of what is, being aware of awareness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine theoretical perspectives and empirical research on flow and mindfulness, and offer suggestions about the relevance of these concepts to occupational engagement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both flow and mindfulness involve being present, actively engaged, and attentive. The experience and practice of flow and mindfulness are relevant to the experience of occupational engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding flow and mindfulness may help occupational therapists improve the therapeutic occupational engagement process with their clients through enhancing depth and meaning of occupational experiences, as well as health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada. d.reid@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001290:Attitude; D001364:Awareness; D003071:Cognition; D003243:Consciousness; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010684:Philosophy; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*